Gold Youngman Lotus L3 GT shown at Auto China

Our photographers at Auto China stumbled upon this rather… amusing gold Youngman Lotus L3 GT sedan while finishing up their run of the show, and sent us these pictures to pique our interest.

Having a case of déjà vu? This is of course a rebadged version of the Proton Persona – part of the national carmaker’s strategic partnership with Youngman, which sees the Chinese manufacturer paying royalties in exchange for Campro engines as well as CKD kits of the Persona and Gen2 (the latter is sold as the L3).

Using our familiar family sedan as the base, Youngman then threw on an absurd wide bodykit (which we had already seen at Auto Guangzhou back in 2010). Race-inspired details abound, including bonnet pins and quad exhaust tips, and the boot lid is topped off with a rear wing tall enough to be used as a hurdle.

Added to that, the car is then wrapped in this blinding gold chrome finish, which Youngman obviously thinks Chinese customers would like. So, what do you think – does this give Brothers a run for its money, or is this something even the most extroverted individual would hide from?

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

Gen 2 design is the best ever from proton (Lotus), bit its faith is not well as it’s fallen into the wrong hands: 1st Proton (do U notice the ugliest Gen 2 mold is the latest persona design), 2nd, youngman (worse then proton). Gen2 design, aside from his inferior engine, is a kind that’s not easy to gone obsolete, just like other sport cars. Youngman has really bring mediocre to another level. ANOTHER thing is, youngman doesn’t mention even once abt ‘proton’, they cited themselves as partner from Lotus in commercial (and I could feel how piss-off fr Lotus team).

Not the first time Youngman made something crazy. I remember there was another similar looking concept in the past. But their interior designs are actually not bad. The Youngman version of our Proton Persona has a slightly different, and I dare say more attractive interior. Just Google and see, they’ve changed the aircond controls and a few other bits.

Fun fact : Proton has sold more than 200,000 Gen-2 and Persona cars under Youngman in China since 2008. All of them are (CKD) made in Youngman’s factory in Jinhua, Zhejiang state (but the first 30,000 or so were CBU exports). However, the CamPro engines are shipped wholesale from Tanjung Malim. I estimate that more than 300,000 CamPro engines have been sold to Youngman since 2008, and that’s not bad at all. Youngman also uses the CamPro engines in their self-made models. Proton would have earned big money from the Youngman deal. However, Youngman has been replacing more and more parts with their own, so over the years, Proton has been earning less and less royalties from Youngman as a result. Don’t be surprised if you go to China, especially the inner states, and see a car which looks like a Gen-2 or Persona, they’re not copies or anything, unlike what most would assume.

Youngman’s sales continue to grow today, despite the MH370 tragedy. 2014 is expected to be their best year yet.

Whatever illegal stuff you’re smoking, share it with us Paultaners ok. Youngman has ceased L3 and L5 production due to poor sales. Surely you didn’t hear stories about staffs trying to jump off the factory roof because of unpaid wages. I don’t blame you, the communist party keep a tight lid on news like this.

Between January and March 2014 (Q1 2014), Youngman sold 8,340 rebadged Gen-2 and Persona units. That is a 44% increase over the same period last year.

Overall, Youngman ranked 41st best selling brand in China for Q1 2014. That is higher than Mitsubishi btw. Keep in mind that Youngman only sells 3 cars; the rebadged Gen-2 and Persona (Youngman L3) and a self-made model which is based on an elongated Gen-2 platform (Youngman L5).

Even with just 3 main models, Youngman has managed to hold its own in the market. Imagine if Youngman (or some other Chinese company) could rebadge the much improved Prevé and Suprima S for China as well. No brainer. Surely Proton would make big bucks and big sales.

That’s why I want Proton to hurry up with their China export plans. It is long overdue. The sooner Proton can get the new cars to China, the better.

Agreed with all of your comments here…really a sore eye.
BUT for all we know…this car on show may had found a new owner!! May be with extra bookings too!!
So next time you are in China…do look around ok.

1)”Chinese manufacturer paying royalties in exchange for Campro engines”
2)basically is a chinese taste
3) chinese won’t hurt(bash) their long distant family(Youngman),so they end up bash (proton)
4)see how prejudice this people

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